Hockey

BOSTON (CBS) - Loui Eriksson was supposed to be the centerpiece of the trade that sent Tyler Seguin to the Dallas Stars, but two concussions have derailed his debut season with the Bruins, and it’s put his immediate future in jeopardy.

However, a lesser-known return in the Seguin trade was rookie right winger Reilly Smith, who has been a pleasant surprise for Bruins fans.

Because of him, the trade is working out just fine.

Reilly Smith has played in all 37 games, ranks second in assists and is tied for the Bruins lead in goals with 12 – amazing when you consider he’s not in the team’s top five in shots.

“Smith is making the Tyler Seguin trade work, because unfortunately Loui Eriksson has gotten creamed a couple times,” said Gresh.

Where Smith’s contributions are really paying dividends is on the power play. His four goals on the man advantage rank him second on the team, and is part of a unit that ranks fifth in the league in power play percentage.

You heard correctly: the Boston Bruins rank fifth in the league in power play – a far cry from year’s past where they won in spite of their poor power play.

This segued into a conversation about the team’s missing players – whether by injury or suspension – and how the young guys have carried the load in their absence.

In the fourth and final Hour, Felger and Mazz continued to take calls on yesterday’s NHL Trade Deadline. Did Peter Chiarelli do enough to improve the Boston Bruins? The guys also discussed the Patriots, Darrelle Revis, and Devin McCourty. Before the Final Word with Jim, the guys reveal and discuss the New England Revolution’s new 3rd alternate jerseys.